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William M. R. Simpson
William Simpson is a philosopher and physicist. He is a tenured Associate Professor in the Salmon P. Chase Center for Civics, Culture and Society at The Ohio State University, and a Research Fellow of the University of Oxford. He holds doctorates in philosophy from Cambridge and physics from St Andrews.
William Simpson is a philosopher and physicist. He is a tenured Associate Professor in the Salmon P. Chase Center for Civics, Culture and Society at The Ohio State University, and a Research Fellow of the University of Oxford. He holds doctorates in philosophy from Cambridge and physics from St Andrews.
My work lies at the intersection of metaphysics, philosophy of science, and philosophical anthropology. Its central concern is how human beings—as rational, embodied, and social animals—belong within the natural world described by modern science. On this website you can read more about me, my research, publications, teaching, conferences, and outreach, and see a copy of my CV.
Research projects
Research projects
My research develops a hylomorphic account of nature informed by physics. I use this framework to investigate the metaphysics of matter, mind and living beings, and increasingly the forms of social and political life through which human beings flourish.
Minding Your Matter
How does mind fit within nature?
Hylomorphism in Science
Should scientists be materialists?
Forms of Social Life
Do social entities possess Aristotelian forms and corporate powers?
My present research grew out of earlier work on the metaphysics of quantum theory, especially the nature of powers, forces, and emergence in modern physics.
Quantum Powers
Do quantum systems have powers?
Quantum Forces
Do quantum macroscopic forces reduce to microscopic forces?
Engaging the Big Questions
Engaging the Big Questions
Discussion Panel on Panpsychism and Modern Physics
On the screen: Lee Smolin.
From the Left: Philip Goff, Sean Carroll, William Simpson.
Marist College, New York State, USA, 2023
Photo by Nicolas Kuske.
Organisers: Philip Goff, Andrei A. Buckareff
You can contact me at [wmrs2 at cam dot ac dot uk]
You can contact me at [wmrs2 at cam dot ac dot uk]
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